Fountain divider for printing presses



April 3, 1934. G, H. FLINKER FOUNTAIN DI VIDER FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July .31, 1933 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 3, 1934 PATENT OFFICE FOUNTAIN DIVIDER FOR PRINTING PRESSES George H. Flinker, Cincinnati," Ohio Application July 31, 1933, Serial No. 682,984

19 Claims.

My invention relates to devices for use in the ink fountains of printing presses wherein the fountain is provided with a roller taking the ink from the fountain and applyingit to the printing plates of the press, usually through the action of additional rollers. The roller is at one end of the fountain and. the bottom of the latter usually slopes to the roller. Where different kinds or colors of ink are used on the same press run, it

is necessary to keep the different inks thoroughly separated; and for this purpose, various kinds of dividers have been used, all similar in that the divider contacts the bottom of the fountain and the roller to make the ink tight closure required.

The object of my invention, in general, is to improve the divider in its function of retaining the ink in the proper compartment of the fountain; especially with regard to maintenance in ink tight condition under the stresses and jars of the press operation. It also is an object to provide the divider, effective in the above respects, of very simple construction, and in a form in which it is very easy to apply it to the press fountain, and to adjust it to the fountain bottom and roller. An object especially is to insure against the divider working upward and outwardaway from the fountain bottom and roller.

Other more specific objects will appear in the course of the following description, illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a printing press showing the fountain with my improved divider applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view oorresponding to that of Fig. 1, enlarged, showing one'of the dividers in greater detail.

Fig. 3 is a cross section 'on the vertical plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the divider in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a plan view corresponding to that of Fig. 2, showing a modification of my divider.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional elevation correspond- I The oonstructionof the printing press shown in Fig. 1 need not be morefully described than to say that it comprises side frame members 1 in which the fountain roller 2 is journaled, and upon which the fountain 3 is supported for adjustment toward the roller 2, by means, for example, of clamp screws 4'through the members 1 into the fountain sides 5 in slots 6 in the members 1. It will be understood that these details are parts of the printing press, and may vary in different ing to that of Fig. 3, showing the divider of Fig. 4.

presses, and not being part of my invention, re-

.quire no elaborate illustration or description.

printing presses; the purpose of the blade 7 being to regulate the amount of ink carried by the roller 2 from the fountain 3, by rotation of the roller in clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow.-

The fountain 3 illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is the kind used on Miehle presses, for example; and a peculiarity of this fountain is that, at its outer edge portion 10 there is no upstanding rim. The bottom of the fountain 3 is plane, fromthe roller out to this edge portion 10. This formation of thefountain heretofore has made it dif-' ficult to hold the divider securely in its proper ink tight working position; and I have overcome this difliculty by means that later will be explained.

In my divider, an elastic element 11, preferably of fairly firm rubber, constitutesthe body of the divider, as distinguished from the use of rubber or other flexible or elastic material as a mere packing along the edges'of a rigid body. This elastic body 11 is of elongated approximately triangular or wedge shape, dictated by the shape ofthe fountain as is the case with prior dividers.

Its bottom 12 is straight to fit the plane bottom of the fountain 3, and its inner end 13 concave to fit the roller 2. Its top 14 is straight; the angle between the top and bottom being of such degree that, when the divider is in place in the fountain this top is approximately horizontal. About midway of the length of this top 14, the body 11 has a transverse slot or notch 15; and in its outer end the body has a recess or slot 16 down through the end and opening outwardly through the end.

Lying on the top 14 of the body 11 from the notch 15 inward nearly to the inner end 13 of the body is a resilient strip 17, preferably of steel which is resilient yet not excessively stiff; and this strip 17 has its outer end bent down to form a lug 18 fitting snugly in the recess or notch 15 of the body top 14 and preventing endwise displacement of the strip.

The holding structure of the divider, for holding the elastic body element 11 securely in working position; comprises the top bar 19 to overlie the top 14 of the body and the strip 17 thereon. This top bar 19 has depending sides or flanges 20 which straddle the portions of the body 11 next to the top 14; fitting the body 11 snugly so that there is no appreciable sidewise relative movement of the body 11 and the holding structure. As shown, these sides of fianges 20 terminate short of the inner and outer ends of the top bar 19; and the outer portion of the lower edge of each flange 20 is inclined to be approximately parallel with the fountain bottom and is amply spaced up therefrom for clearance. For symmetry, the inner portion of the lower edge of each flange 20 is inclined at the same angle to the horizontal, in the opposite direction, that is, upwardly.

The outer end part of the top bar 19, indicated at 21, overlies and extends out past the outer edge 10 of the sloping fountain bottom, where a part 22 integral with the part 21 depends down past the fountain edge portion 10; and from this depending part 22 a part 23, integral with the part 22, extends inward under the fountain edge portion 10. A set screw 24 is threaded through the upper part 21 of the holding structure, to lie at right angles to the sloping fountain bottom, with which the screw 24 is adapted to make clamping engagement. This screw 24 extends down through the recess or slot 16, before mentioned, in the outer end part of the elastic body 11, to reach the fountain bottom; and in doing so, it fits this slot 16 snugly, or preferably crowds the slot so that the elastic material of the body 11 is somewhat distended by this screw. This screw 24 thus performs the additional function of preventing sidewise displacement of this outer end part of the elastic body 11, which would not be securely held in this respect by the straddling of the sides or flanges 20 of the holding structure. A thumb set screw 25 is threaded up through the bottom inwardly extended part 23 of the holding structure, to clamp against the under surface of the fountain bottom. This lower set screw 25 is located a substantial distance nearer the roller end of the fountain than is the upper set screw' 24. By this relative location of these clamping screws 24 and 25, I provide for especially firm and reliable attachment of my divider to the fountain. The lower screw 25 pulls down on the holding structure lower inwardly extending part 23, with the upper screw 24 acting as the fulcrum. In this manner, the action of the lower screw 25 is to pull the entire holding structure, throughout its forward part constituted by the top bar 19, which pulls the elastic body element 11 down firmly against the bottom of the fountain, for ink tight contact with said bottom throughout the extent of the divider from the outer portion of the fountain to the roller 2. At the same time, displacement of the divider radially from the roller 2, which is along a line approximately bisecting the angle of the bottom and top of the divider, is effectively resisted by the upper screw 24 engaging the upper surface of the fountain bottom below the plane of the rear edge 10 of said bottom.

Further means is provided for insuring an accurate ink tight fit of the bottom of the elastic body element 11 to the plane bottom of the fountain 3, in the form of a series of set screws 26 threaded down through the top bar 19 to bear against the resilient strip 17, before described. The several screws 26 permit different adjustments of pressure on the elastic body element 11 at intervals of the inner part of its length. The resilient strip 1'7 distributes this pressure along the relatively soft elastic body element 11, yet yields sufficiently to afford the difference of pressure at intervals, as afforded by the different adjustments of the several screws 26. I have found that the ink tight contact of the elastic body element 11 with the bottom of the fountain 3 is more fully attained by giving the top bar 19 an upwardly bowed formation from end to end, as clearly seen in Fig. 3. This, with relation to the straight or plane bottom of the fountain 3, affords somewhat more pressure at the inner and outer portions of the elastic body element 11 than at its middle portions. Any tendency of the elastic body element 11 to flex upwardly at its end portions is thus counteracted. This, together with the adjustments at intervals by-the screws 26 and strip 17, and the especially firm holding of the structure as a whole by the clamping means at the outer portion 10 of the fountain, I have found to provide a more perfect ink retaining contact of the divider with the fountain bottom and the roller 2 than in any of the dividers with which I have had extensive experience heretofore.

The modification of my divider shown in Figs. 4 and 5, while alike in principle with the example of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is varied as to detail for application to the fountains of the Miehle presses. The chief difference of these fountains from those of the Miehle presses, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is that the outer portion of the fountain, instead of having an abruptly terminating edge, has an upstanding wall or rim 10a. The roller 2a, as well as the fountain 3a in its other details, is similar to the previously described Miehle fountain; having the scraper blade 7a held to the fountain bottom by rivets 8a and bearing against the roller 2a, which rotates in clockwise direction the same as the roller in the previous exampleas indicated by the arrow.

The elastic body element 11a, except as to size and certain details of its top and outer end portion, is like that of the first example. -Its bottom 12a fits the bottom of the fountain 3a, and its inner end -13a is concave to fit the roller 2a; and its top 14a is straight and approximately horizontal. The notch or slot 15a in its top 14a is, however, close to its outer end. The element 11a is made .with a slot 16a from top to bottom, in the inner end of which a cylindrical recess 16b is formed, opening out through the end and with its axis along a line approximately bisecting the angle between the top and bottom of the body 11a, or approximately radial to the roller 2a. The side portions 16a. of the outer end are squeezed tightly against the fountain run or wall 10a. The resilient strip 17a extends along the top 14a of the body. 11a from near its inner end to the notch 15a, where it has its end bent down forming a lug 18a fitting closely in the notch.

The holding structure is modified in accordance with the different formation of the fountain 3a at its outer portion, with the upstanding rim 100. as before described. The top bar 19a fits over the body 110. and strip 17a, and has the set screws 26a to act as in the previous example. The top bar 19a has the depending sides or flanges 20a straddling the elastic body element 11a, fitting it snugly; in this example preferably extending from the front end of the top bar 190. far enough toward the outer end thereof to coincide with a slight rearwardly facing shoulder 27 on the under side of the top bar 19a. The rear ends of these sides or flanges 20a are thus, together with this shoulder 2'7, adapted to bear out against the inner side of the upstanding rim 10a of the fountain. The top bar 19a has the part 21a extending out across the top of this rim 1011, with an integral 150 depending part 22a. lying close to the outer side of this rim 10a. A thumb set screw 25a is threaded inward through this depending part 22a to bear against the outer side of the rim 10a: so that by its coaction with the inner bearing parts 20a and 27 the entire divider is rigidly clamped to the fountain.

In the first example, the fountain, when adjusted to or from the roller 2, permits the divider to be adjusted on the fountain 3, owing to the parallelism of the surfaces where the screws 24 and 25 clamp the divider to the fountain. In the second example, however, such adjustment of the entire divider to compensate for adjustment of the fountain 3a to the roller 2a is not possible, owing to the clamping to the upstanding rim 10a as just described. I accordingly, in this second example, provide a helical spring, 24a fitting in the cylindrical recess 16a in the outer end of the elastic body element 11!, and'compressed between the bottom of the recess and the adjacent inner side of the upstanding wall or rim 10a. This spring 240 will press the body 11a inward as the fountain 3a. is adjusted outward, or will allow the body 11a to move outward relatively to the holding structure and fountain, as the fountain 3a is adjusted inward. The body 11a, while elastic, might be crowded too much if allowed to bear simply against the inner side of the rim 10a. As is well known in the art, the adjustment of the fountain to or from the roller is necessary when the working edge of the scraper plate 7 or 7a. is renewed, as by grinding; the edge becoming worn by contact with the rotating roller 2 or 2a.

In the second example of Figs. 4 and 5, I have not found it necessary to how the top bar 19a, as the top bar is in the first example. It may also be mentioned that, in either example, the concave edge 13 or 13a, in contact with the roller 2, or 2a,, affords a suction by which the roller, turning downwardly at this area of contact, tends to draw the inner portion of the elastic body element 11 or 11a downward, not only into close contact with the roller but with the fountain bottom. This is not possible with a divider in which the body is mostly made up of rigid material; and is a marked advantage resulting from my provision of an elastic element constituting the body of the divider, with rigid means disposed merely to clamp it in place and adjust its various portions to the fountain and roller. The variable adjustment of the different portions of the body 11 and 11a also is an advantage afforded by having it entirely elastic. This body is made of ample thickness so that its edges 12 or 12a and 13 or 13a have ample area to form the ink tight contacts; and in addition, the body being preferably made of rubber molded to approximate shape, I prefer to grind the lower edge 12 or 12a and the concave edge 13 or 13a to accurateshap'e. This not only affords a more accurate fit of the edges, but removes the skin or glaze that is present on the molded rubber, and frees the live interior rubber to make closely conforming contact, and to have the suction effect at the roller as before noted.

I have shown my divider as applied to a Miehle fountain and a Meisel fountain, as these fountains usually are made. However, it will be understood that presses of those makes may vary as to their fountains, and that presses of other makes, with fountains varying from both examples disclosed herein, may have my divider applied thereto with such modifications of detall as are necessary therefor. Also, other modifications may occur, as to material and details of construction. The holding structure, comprising the integral upper bar and its parts for effecting the attachment to the fountain preferably is a metal casting; but it may be formed of metal otherwise, integrally or in more than one piece. The body 11 or 11a. is preferably of rubber, and with the treatment described; but other materials and treatments may be suitable if satisfying the conditions of operation involved in my invention;

Therefore, while I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention rather specifically, I am not to be understood as being limited to such precise disclosure, but what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a divider for a printing press fountain,

an elongated elastic element shaped to make an ink tight fit with the fountain bottom and the fountain roller and constituting thebody of the divider, and a holding structure to bear down against the top of said elastic element and being provided with means for securing said structure to the outer portion of the fountain adapted to prevent slippage of the divider upwardly from or along the fountain bottom away from the roller..

2. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the holding structure extends along a major portion of the length of the top of the elastic element.

3. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the holding structure includes portions depending from the sides of its part that bears down against the top of the elastic element, said portions straddling said elastic element.

4. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the holding structure extends along a major portion of the length of the top of the elastic element and includes portions depending from the sides of its part that bears down against the top of the elastic element, said portions straddling said elastic element.

5. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the portion of the holding structure that bears down on the top of the elastic element is inthe form of a bar, said divider also including a resilient bearing element interposed between said bar and the top of the elastic element, and means adjustable on said bar down against said resilient bearing element.

6. A divider as setforth in claim 1, in which the portion of the holding structure that bears down on the top of the elastic element is in the form of a bar, said divider also including a resilient bearing element interposed between said bar and the top of the elastic element, and means adjustable on said bar down against said resilient bearing element, said elastic element having a recess in its top, and said resilient bearing element having a portion depending in said recess,

7. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the holding structure, where it'bears down on the top of the elastic element is bowed upwardly along its length, for the purposes set forth.

8. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the holding structure comprises means straddling the elastic element to limit its sidewise displacement, said divider also including a resilient bearing element interposed between the holding structure and the top of the elastic element, and means adjustable on said holding structure down against said resilient bearing element.

nus

9. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the elastic element has a recess in its end portion remote from its end that fits the roller, and in which the holding structure includes means occupying said recess to limit sidewise displacement of adjacent portions of the elastic element.

10. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the elastic element has a recess in its end portion remote from its end that fits the roller, and including means in said recess and so related to said holding structure as to exert a pressure on said elastic element to hold it toward the roller.

11. A divider as set forth in claim 1, in which the elastic element has a recess in its end remote from its end that fits the roller, and a spring in said recess and compressed between the bottom of the recess and an outer portion of the fountain, so disposed as to press the elastic element toward the roller.

12. In a divider for a printing press fountain, a body for the divider composed entirely of elastic material, shaped to lit the bottom of the fountain and the fountain roller, and a rigid holding means having at its outer end means to clamp it rigidly to the fountain, and bearing down on the top of the body, said clamping means comprising a part to overlie the fountain and engage the upper surface thereof, and a part to extend under the fountain and engage the lower surface of the fountain nearer to the roller fitting end of the body than is the part that engages the upper surface of the fountain.

13. A divider as set forth in cla m 12, in which the rigid holding means has parts straddling the body to limit its sidewise movement. I

14. A divider as set forth in claim 12, in which the rigid holding means is bowed upwardly along its extent where it bears down on top of the body.

15. A divider as set forth in claim 12, including a resilient bearing element interposed between the rigid holding means and the top of the body, and means adjustable on said rigid holding means down against said resilient bearing element.

16. 'A divider as set forth in claim 12, including a resilient bearing element interposed between the rigid holding means and the top of the body, and means adjustable on said rigid holding means down against said resilient bearing element, the part of said rigid holding means over said top of said body and said resilient bearing element being bowed upwardly along its length, for the purposes set forth.

17-. A divider for use on a printing press fountain of the kind which has an outer edge portion inclined down toward the fountain roller as a continuation of the inclned bottom of the fountain, and is devoid of any upstanding portion at the outer edge, comprising an elastic body shaped to fit the inclined bottom and the roller, and a rigid holding structure bearing down on the top of the body and having an outer end part extending around and under the outer edge of the fountain, with means on its upper part bearing down on the upper surface of the fountain and means on its part that extends under the fountain bearing up against the lower surface of the fountain nearer the roller than is the means that bears on the upper surface, for the purposes set forth.

18. A divider for use on a printing press fountain of the kind which has an upstanding rim or wall at its edge remote from the fountain roller, compris'ng an elastic body shaped to fit the fountain bottom and the fountain roller, and a rigid holding structure bearing down on the top of the body and having an outer part straddling the upstanding rim or wall of the fountain, and means movable in said outer part to bear against a side of said rim or wall to clamp the divider to the fountain.

19. A divider as set forth in claim 18, in which there is included a spring compressed between an outer end part of the elastic body and the inner side of the fountain rim or wall.

GEORGE H. FLINKER. 

